Cash band

ABSTRACT

A cash band that can be used to hold cash, credit cards and identification. The cash band is made of a cloth material that is weaved with thin elastic bands throughout and is sewn together at each end with sturdy thread. The cash band is easily stretched to accommodate an indefinite number of cash, credit cards and identification to be held by an adult. The cash band can also be used by children to hold childrens&#39; items such as playing cards. A second embodiment is provided that utilizes a hook and loop fastener for easy adjustment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cloth and elastic band used tohold cash, credit cards, identification cards and other types of itemstypically stored in a wallet.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Money clips and wallets are common items used to carry money,credit cards and other valuable items. The related art describes the useof such items and distinguishes between what is a money clip and what isa wallet. The related art also describes lesser known devices such asretaining bands for important papers such as leases, financial papersand other documents. Many of these devices have multiple features andfunctions as well as creative designs.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 1,761,809, issued to Ancla, outlines a bill holderthat allows a user to remove an outer bill without disturbing other heldbills. The device outlined in the Ancla patent utilizes an elastic bandused together with a strip of stiff material that gives structure to theinvention and allows the elastic band to hold folded paper moneysecurely in place against the strip of material. The strip of materialis typically thin metal and can be easily adjusted to accommodate billsof different lengths, widths and quantities.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,960,690, issued to Blair, outlines the use of anelastic retaining band device, which is used to hold together bundles ofimportant papers such as insurance policies, leases and legal documents.These papers are clearly identified by a label that is associated withthe device. This device may either have slots formed by cutting slits inthe band, or a window cut into a double thickness of material, forholding the label.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,869, issued to Haase, outlines the use of acombination credit card and money clip device. A clip and elastic bandare provided to comfortably and separately hold credit cards and foldedpaper money at the same time. The clip serves as a holding means andbacking for the elastic band. The device is a new and improved versionof a simple money clip. The device can be made of rubber, plastic ormetal material.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,019, issued to Knickle, also outlines the useof a combination credit card and money clip device. The “endless elasticband” is able to stretch as much as is necessary to accommodate any sizecredit card or folding money. The endless elastic band also returns toits original small and convenient size when not in use. The device isdesigned to be compact and inconspicuous and can more easily be usedwith casual clothing and accessories. The device includes an elasticband made of a material having a combination of rubber and polyester, oralternatively from elastic fabric such as spandex or lycra, and havingtwo ends sewn together to form an endless loop with a metal cover platecrimped over the band to cover the stitching.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,752, issued to Petty, outlines the use ofexpandable wrapping ribbon for simply and quickly wrapping packages orsecuring bundles of material. In the first embodiment, a singlecontinuous ribbon with an enveloping sheath is provided to cover andprotect an elastic band that encircles the desired package or bundle.There is also a second embodiment that utilizes spring clips provided atthe each end of the elastic band to serve as an attaching means forattaching the ribbon sections to a wrapping material.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,080, issued to Podwika, outlines the use of amoney clip and an elastic band. There is a rectangular planar base whichis used in conjunction with a money clip that is integral to the base.An elastic band is also utilized and is formed into a continuous loopthat encircles the base and can hold any folded money or plastic cardsagainst the base. The elastic band is permanently attached to the baseand can also be used to hold folding money or plastic cards.

[0011] Although all of the patents describe useful devices that hold andorganize plastic cards and money, some of these devices, like othersimilar devices in the related art, can be fairly sophisticated to use.This could actually be a disadvantage, since these devices can be bulkyand cumbersome. What is really needed is a simple device thatconveniently organizes and holds folding money, credit cards andidentification that is easy to use and can be easily adjustable.

[0012] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly orin combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention is a cash band that can be used to hold cash,credit cards and identification. The cash band is made of a clothmaterial that is weaved with thin elastic bands throughout and is sewntogether at each end with sturdy thread. The cash band is easilystretched to accommodate an indefinite number of cash, credit cards andidentification cards normally held by an adult. The cash band can alsobe used by children to hold childrens' items such as playing cards. Asecond embodiment is provided that utilizes hook and loop fasteningmaterial to releasably attach the ends of the elastic material.

[0014] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to providea cash band that is lighter and easier to use than other moresophisticated wallets and money clips and is easily adjustable.

[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide a cash bandwith a desired logo or indicia of a professional sports team, collegeteam, high school team or brand name.

[0016] Still another object of the invention is to provide a less bulkyway of carrying cash, credit cards, identification and other walletrelated items.

[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a cash bandaccording to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of a cash band according to thepresent invention.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 along line 3-3.

[0022]FIG. 4 is an environmental perspective view of a second embodimentof a cash band according to the present invention.

[0023] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention is a cash band 10 used to hold cash, creditcards, identification cards, and other flat materials C, as depicted inFIG. 1.

[0025] The cash band 10 is comprised of a cloth strip of a predeterminedwidth and length with strands of elastic weaved together with the clothstrip and a fastening means for attaching each end of the cloth striptogether, forming a loop 20 that can be placed around a plurality ofcash, credit cards and identification cards C to secure these itemswithin the formed loop 20. The loop 20 can easily stretch to accommodatean indefinite number of plastic cards and folded bills because of theelastic weaved within the cash band 10, which also returns the cash band10 to its original shape after being used.

[0026] This is also shown in FIG. 2, where the cash band 10 displays auser's arbitrary choice of logo or indicia 30. This logo or indicia 30can take the form of a professional sports team, a college or highschool team or even a brand name such as “Cashband”. The attaching meansfor the first embodiment of the invention, for each end of the clothstrip is sewn heavy thread 40, that permanently secures each end of thecloth strip together, forming an endless loop 20.

[0027] As depicted in FIG. 3, the cash band 10 surrounds the cash,credit cards and identification cards C. The loop 20 does not utilizeany clips, base or backing to further support the cash, credit cards andidentification cards C. Because of this, the cash band 10 can easily andinexpensively be made by a manufacturer. The cash band 10 also gives aless formal aesthetic appearance than it would otherwise with theseother accessories. The absence of these accessories also makes it easierfor a user to carry his cash, credit cards and identification cards C.

[0028] Children can also use the cash band 10 for carrying childrens'items such as playing cards. It is not expected that a typical childwill use the cash band 10 for holding credit cards and identificationcards. The cash band 10 can be referred to as “a fun band” when used bya child to hold such childrens' items. The cash band 10 will hold otheradult related items such as cash, credit cards and identification cardsC.

[0029] A second embodiment of the cash band 10 is depicted in FIG. 4.This second embodiment of the cash band 10 utilizes a differentfastening means for attaching each end of the cloth strip forming theloop, viz., hook and loop fastening material 50. A first strip 60 ofeither hook or loop fastening material is provided on one end of thecash band 10, and is wrapped around the width of some cash, credit cardsor identification cards C, and then attached to a second, mating strip70 of hook and loop fastening material provided on the other end of thecash band 10.

[0030] This attachment can be done easily by hand and allows the user tobetter adjust to a variety of widths and thicknesses of cash, creditcards and identification cards C. It can also keep the cash band 10 fromstretching out and allowing a user to better adjust for a very small orvery large stack of cash, credit cards and identification cards C.

[0031] Operation of both embodiments is very simple. Cash, credit cardsand identification cards C are simply placed within the cash band 10manually by the user. The width of the cash band 10 is approximately 1″,the length is approximately 3″ and can be stretched approximately to 6″.Both embodiments are easily washable and can be used repeatedly for longperiods of time.

[0032] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A band used to hold cash, credit cards and identificationcards, comprising: a cloth strip of a predetermined width and lengthhaving strands of elastic weaved together within the cloth strip andhaving a first end and an opposing second end; and an fastening meansfor attaching the first and second ends of the cloth strip together toform a loop adapted for being placed around a plurality of papercurrency, credit cards and identification cards to secure the samewithin the loop.
 2. A band according to claim 1, further comprisingindicia disposed on said cloth strip.
 3. The band according to claim 1,wherein said fastening means comprises a plurality of stitches attachingthe first and second ends together to form an endless loop.
 4. The bandaccording to claim 1, wherein said fastening means for attaching thefirst and second ends of said cloth strip together comprises hook andloop fastening material.